LONDON – The United Kingdom, Canada and Australia on Sunday announced formal recognition of a Palestinian state, marking a major foreign policy turn among Western allies and aligning themselves with more than 140 countries that have already taken the step.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the decision was intended to revive prospects for a two-state solution. He stressed that recognition was a political statement of support and not an instant change to realities on the ground. Britain had previously linked recognition to progress on issues such as a ceasefire in Gaza and halting settlement expansion in the West Bank.

Canada and Australia issued parallel announcements. Canberra framed its decision as part of its longstanding support for a negotiated two-state outcome but added that further diplomatic steps would be tied to governance reforms within the Palestinian Authority and the exclusion of Hamas from future state structures. Ottawa described the recognition as a necessary step to restore momentum toward peace.